If your son can shoulder and shoot a ruger 10/22 with properly, I'd suggest that. Otherwise, go with what the people who actually have kids suggest, as they know a lot more than me. In terms of a 22 pistol, my only point of contention with the advice so far is that the Ruger Mk III 22/45 is a great pistol, and not to avoid it simply because it is not as good as the Mk II.

"No. Listen to me because I know what I'm talking about here." -- Hannibal

If your son can shoulder and shoot a ruger 10/22 with properly, I'd suggest that. Otherwise, go with what the people who actually have kids suggest, as they know a lot more than me. In terms of a 22 pistol, my only point of contention with the advice so far is that the Ruger Mk III 22/45 is a great pistol, and not to avoid it simply because it is not as good as the Mk II.

Semi auto and new shooter does not mix. Too complicated to manipulate. With a single shot, you shoot, then the rifle is "safe". Everything has to be deliberate, not just load and pull the triigger 10 times.

That's my experience with my kids at least. They love to shoot my 10/22 though ! It's got a laminated thumbhole stock so they just shoot it off the bench.

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

"The best part of getting you worked up is your backpack full of irony and lies." -It Is Fake

"Banning BKR is like kicking a Quokka. It's foolishness of the first order." - Raycetpfl

Semi auto and new shooter does not mix. Too complicated to manipulate. With a single shot, you shoot, then the rifle is "safe". Everything has to be deliberate, not just load and pull the triigger 10 times.

That's my experience with my kids at least. They love to shoot my 10/22 though ! It's got a laminated thumbhole stock so they just shoot it off the bench.

In your experience, is it too complicated just to load one round at a time into the 10/22 magazines?

"No. Listen to me because I know what I'm talking about here." -- Hannibal

In your experience, is it too complicated just to load one round at a time into the 10/22 magazines?

My kids started shooting 6 and 7 respectively. Manipulating the round into the magazine was a bit complicated for them. Inserting the magazine same issue, and especially hitting the mag release while performing muzzle control, dropping the mag, etc. Then there was manipulating the bolt to chamber a cartridge. Then unloading as well. To hold the breach open is complicated (pull back bolt, hold it back, push in slide lock and takes too much strength.

No way to tell if the weapon is cocked either. On a Cricket at least you have to manually cock the rifle.

So, overall, 10/22 operation is too complicated for a beginning shooter, especially a younger kid. They need to concentrate on the basics of safe firearm handling and marksmanship, not manipulating multiple controls.

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

"The best part of getting you worked up is your backpack full of irony and lies." -It Is Fake

"Banning BKR is like kicking a Quokka. It's foolishness of the first order." - Raycetpfl

I think a single shot is ideal, but I learned to shoot with a semi-auto .22. I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Maybe not for you, but my boys handled my 10/22 under my supervision. I shared my experience based on that. For older boys, with bigger hands and more hand strength, I wouldn't rule out the 10/22.

They will both get pump shotguns this year, so I'm not averse to more complicated arms. They now exercise excellent muzzle control and safety, so don't have to concentrate so much on that plus manipulating the gun. At first those shotguns will be single shots, though, as they learn the drill with them.

Falling for Judo since 1980

"You are wrong. Why? Because you move like a pregnant yak and talk like a spazzing 'I train UFC' noob." -DCS

"The best part of getting you worked up is your backpack full of irony and lies." -It Is Fake

"Banning BKR is like kicking a Quokka. It's foolishness of the first order." - Raycetpfl